Emergency flare light



Feb. 27, 1951 P. VEEK EMERGENCY FLARE LIGHT Filed Nov. 1, 1946 Calcium Carb/de Calcium Phosphide lure/nor P/zzh'p 4. 1 66/6,

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Patented Feb. 27, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE EMERGENCY FLARE LIGHT Philip A. Veek, Portland, Oreg. Application November 1, 1946, Serial No. 707,284

4 Claims. '(Cl. 102-373) The present invention relates to an emergency type light or flare such as is used for signal purposes and has more particular reference to a simple and feasible appliance which will function whenever necessary or desired to flash a glaring and dazzling light to attract attention of passersby and others.

In carrying out the inventive concept I have evolved and produced a simple and suitable emergency light for use by persons in distress, the same being in the form of a buoyant chemical holding and .gas generating container and having means confined therein in a normally inert and inactivestate, said means being such as to provide 'a potential agent for generating a-highly inflammable signal light producing gas, the gas being ignited upon being released for contact with atmospheric air.

In carrying out my aims and various principles of the invention, I have perfected an ingenious appliance in the form of a small can and which lends itself adaptable to ready handling by travelers, mountain climbers, tourists and persons at sea or operating in such circumstances where an emergency signal light may Well be of advantage to attract attention for assistance and help.

Structually and functionally the invention appertains to a primary container with a normally closed readily puncturable gas issuance orifice, said container being charged with a normally inactive ignitable gas generating chemical, there being a secondary container in the form of a water tank mounted in the primary container and this beingprovided with a puncturable vent, and being so arranged as to be punctured by a hand pressed tack or other penetrating element in a manner to release the Water and to permitthe water to wet the chemical and render'said chemical active for automatic lighting purposes, thereby obviating the necessity of having an available match, pocket lighter or other sparking device.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view of an emergency flare or light constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged central vertical section taken on the plane of the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the plane of the line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the main or principal container is in the form of a metal or equivalent can 5 of appropriate dimensions and material. The can is provided in its top and at a predetermined point with a generated gas discharge orifice 6 which is normally closed by a puncturable plug 1, this of metal foil or the like. A puncturing nail 8 is provided and this is normally fastened to the top of the can by solder or other sealing means 9 which permits the nail to be grasped, when needed and ripped off for ready use. On the interior of the can is a second can or tank In which is substantially filled with water II. This tank is soldered in place as at [2 and the top of the main can in alignment therewith is provided with a vent l3 normally closed by a lead, metal foil or equivalent plugging seal M. The bottom l5 of the tank is of readily penetratable material. Said bottom l5 of the water tank is elevated above the bottom of the main can and located therebeneath is a puncturing or penetrating tack l6 suitably anchored in place as at I! to render the same substantially stationary and ever ready and set for use. The head of the tack is secured to the bottom of the main can to permit said bottom to be depressed and to force the shank of the tack through the tank bottom [5. The numeral I8 designates a screen surrounding the bottom of the tank and secured as at l9 to the bottom of the can. This screen defines a chamber around the tack and separates said chamber from the main gas generating space 20, the gas in said space being generated from chemical means as indicated at 2!. The means is preferably a properly proportioned mixture of calcium phosphide and calcium carbide. These two chemicals produce a combined phosphine and acetylene gas which ignites spontaneously upon coming into contact with atmospheric air. The chemical, however, has to be wetted before gas of the above type is generated in the space 20.

The light, which is automatically produced, is brilliant and glaring especially as a result of the acetylene gas and due to its dazzling and scintillating effects, it will be recognized as a signal light and can be seen at a great distance. The time the flare burns is adjustable in length, during manufacture, by increasing or decreasing the size of the parts and the amounts forming the charge of chemicals. In practice, both the can and container should be water-proofed or shellacked and otherwise suitably coated both inside and outside to prevent undesirable chemical activity. The meshed screen keeps the chemicals from caking around the tack and permits proper usage of the tack. The whole unit can 3 be encased in a cardboard box (not shown) to protect it and to provide a convenient display for carrying and use instructions.

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a readily usable appliance which ,lights automatically, is moisture proof, will not deteriorate with age, will-withstand heat up toand be-' I yond 200 degrees Fahrenheit, is buoyant and therefore floats in water, is substantially indestructible with ordinary handling and care, and

- with a combined chemical mixture of calcium is otherwise convenient and compact "-for 'emer-" gency use purposes. The structure shown and described serves to carry out expected and effective results and thus fulfills intended purposes of the invention.

A careful consideration of the foregoing 'ae':

scription in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings-will enable the reader to-obtain'a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction-of the invention as hereinafter claimed:

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim l. A signalling andemergency flare-lighter the class described comprising a container charged with normally inactive dry'chemicals, a relatively small water containing tank suspended in said container and having its bottomspaced from the bottom of said container/said tank being'normally closed, said container beingprovidedwith a gas discharge orifice, frangible meansplugged into and normally closing said orifice, saidcontainer being further providedin its top with-a vent for said tank normally closed '-by additional frangible closing means, and a tankpuncturin'g tack secured in said container betweenthe bot--" tomof the container and the bottom of the tank;-

said latter bottom being flexible, saidtac'k when forcibly pressed, being adapted to flex -said**container bottom to cause the pointed shank of the tack to penetrate the bottomof the tank and to release the water into said container.

2. A signalling and emergency flare-light -of Y the class described comprising a container charged with normally inactive dry chemicals, arelatively small water containing tank-suspended in saidcontainer andhaving its bottom spaced from the bottom of said'container, said tank being normally closed; said container being pro-' vided with a gas discharge orifice, frangible means plugged into and normally closing said orifice," said container being furthenpro'vi ded in its top with a vent for 'said tank normally closedbyadditional frangible closing means, a tankjpu'nc turing tack secured in said container between the bottom of the container and the bottomof the tank, said latter bottom being-fiexible"-:,said tack, when forcibly pressed, being adapted tojfle'xsaid container bottom tocause the pointedshank ofj the tack to penetrate the bottom of the tank and" and to release the water into said'cont'ainerfand a screen situated'in said'container, surrounding the bottom of the tank and resting "onthe"'bot tom of the container and'also surrounding said" tack and separating the tack from the -che'mical 's, the latter being in the containerand surrounding the screen;

3. An automatically ignitable flare-lightflfor signalling and general distress 'servicesconipris I ing adapted-to be conveniently used to open the air vent and gas orifice, in-the manner described.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 1,737,424 Linhardt, Jr. Nov. 26, 1329 w 2,368,038 Palmer Jan. 23, 1945 FOREIGN 'PATENTS Number 7 Country 7 Date 7 7 5251.3 w a d; 1 0... 275,830" Great Britain Aug. 15;.1927

ing a can, said can'includingabodyportibnand meant-toads pardons-a*watr-fine-a namaui phosphide and calcium carbide in dry inert form,

the areaofthe 'top portion eccentric to said tank being provided with a puncturable portion providing a gas discharge orifice, an annular screen surrounding thebottom of the tank and resting on the bottom portion of the can and defining a cage'and also partitioning and separating said chemical mixture from the space in said cage, anda puncturing tack having-its headed end secured to theinterior surface ofthe bottom portion of said can and its pointed end located in close-proximity to the bottom of the tank,the

bo-ttom'bf said can being flexible and permitting saidpointed end to be forced against said tank bottom to puncture latter and to release the water into said can.

4. An "automatically ignitable flare-light for signalling and general distress services comprising a container, said container including a body portion and *top and bottom portionspa water filled normally closed tank attached to the under side of the top portion and depending into said container and having itsbottom spaced from the bottom of said'container, that'area-of the top portion above said tank being provided with a puncturable portion adapted to serve as an air vent, that portion of the container surrounding the tank serving for gas generating purposes and beingpartially filled with a'combined chemical mixture of calcium phosphide and calcium'carbide in dry inert form, the area of the top portion" eccentric to said tank being provided with-a puncturable'po'rtion providing a gas discharge orifice,

an annular screen surrounding the bottom of the tank and restingon the bottom'portion of' the container and defining a cage and also partition ing and separating said chemical mixturefro-m the space in said cage,- a puncturing tack-having its-heade'd-end secured to the interior surface of' the bottom portion of said -container and itspointed end located in close proximity to the bot tom of the tank, the bottom of said container being-flexible and permitting said pointed end to 7 be forced against said tank bottom' to puncture latter and to release the water into said-container,.-- and a nail detachably connected with the exterior of the top-portion of said container, said'nail be- PHILIP A. VEEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of-record in the file of this patent: 

